Peach tree named ‘Gulfsnow’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated ‘Gulfsnow’, has a winter chilling requirement estimated at 400 chill units (cu). The tree is medium size, moderately vigorous, and semi-upright in growth habit. It bears showy, pink flowers, and leaves with globose glands. Trees of ‘Gulfsnow’ are self-fertile and regularly bear annual crops of early season fruit that are large size (185 g) for its ripening season. Fruit are uniformly firm with non-melting white flesh. Fruit are nearly round, and uniform with substantially symmetrical shape, and have an attractive 50 to 60% red skin. The fruit of ‘Gulfsnow’ usually ripen 10 days after ‘Gulfcrimson’ peach in early June at Attapulgus, Ga.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: ‘GULFSNOW’ is a new peach tree that is a Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: The new peach tree claimed is of the variety denominated ‘GULFSNOW’, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinct variety of peach tree, botanically known as Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, and herein referred to as ‘Gulfsnow’, as herein described and illustrated. This new and distinct variety of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] tree is adapted to a subtropical (moderate chill) winter climate. This new tree, named ‘Gulfsnow’, produces well colored, good eating quality, white and non-melting flesh fruit for fresh market in early June at Attapulgus, Ga. Contrast is made to ‘Gulfcrimson’ peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,174; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), a standard variety, for reliable description. ‘Gulfsnow’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has attractive, sweet, white-fleshed fruit that ripen evenly.

The new and distinct variety of peach tree ‘Gulfsnow’ originated in a cultivated area of the fruit breeding program located at Attapulgus, Ga. where it was tested. ‘Gulfsnow’ resulted from a cross of AP98-30×AP99-20W selections. Both parents are selections of complex origin from this breeding program. ‘Gulfsnow’ was selected in 2006 because it exhibited white, non-melting flesh, in a large size fruit with a bright red . It was designated and tested as AP06-09W. It was asexually propagated by budding onto ‘Flordaguard’ (unpatented) seedling rootstock (for root-knot nematode control) and determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit have transmitted for 2 generations.

‘Gulfsnow’ peach tree is a new and distinct variety that bears white, non-melting flesh fruit of good flavor, brix, and eating quality, that ripens in early June at Attapulgus (Table 1). ‘Gulfsnow’ blooms in mid-late February at Attapulgus typically between ‘Flordaking’ peach (350 chill units) and ‘Sunlite’ nectarine (450 chill units). Thus, the chilling requirement is estimated at 400 chill units. The trees are vigorous, productive and without alternate bearing. Tree growth of two meters in height and one and half meter in width is typical the first growing season in the field at Attapulgus. Terminal growth of up to a half meter annually is common on mature 5-year-old trees with normal pruning to a vase shape. ‘Gulfsnow’ can be clearly distinguished from either of its parents. ‘Gulfsnow’ differs from its seed parent, AP98-30, in that ‘Gulfsnow’ has a notably lower chilling requirement (approximately 400 Cu) than does AP-98-30 (500 cu). ‘Gulfsnow’ has a shorter fruit development period from bloom to ripe, i.e. averaging approximately 109 days vs. approximately 123 for AP98-30 and ‘Gulfsnow’ ripens approximately 18 days before AP98-30. ‘Gulfsnow’ is white fleshed while AP98-30 is yellow fleshed. ‘Gulfsnow’ differs from it pollen parent, AP99-20W, in that ‘Gulfsnow’ has a notably higher chilling requirement (approximately 400 cu) than does AP-99-20W (approximately 300 cu). ‘Gulfsnow’ has a longer fruit development periods, i.e., averaging 109 says vs. 98 days for A99-20W and ‘Gulfsnow’ ripens approximately 17 days after AP99-20W. ‘Gulfsnow’ has globose leaf glands while AP99-20W has reniform glands.

The first fruit ripen the first week of June at Attapulgus or in about 110 days from full bloom, ca. 10 days after ‘Gulfcrimson’ ripening. The fruit are uniformly large size, averaging 185 g when properly thinned to a full crop. However, ‘Gulfsnow’ fruit are more round than ‘Gulfcrimson’ which has a longer fruit. Ripe fruit have averaged 53% red blush. There is some red pigment in the flesh but none in the flesh at the pit. The flower anthers are deep yellow, and leaf glands are globose, common characteristics of many standard peach varieties. No buttons (parthenocarpy fruit) or split pits have been observed.

TABLE 1 Tree performance and fruit characteristics^(z) of ‘Gulfsnow’ and Gulfcrimson’ (Attapulgus, Ga., 2006-2012). Tree Fruit Bloom Crop Harv. Diam. Wt. Cultivar (Jul) (%) (Jul) (mm) (gm) Shape Gulfsnow 47 40 158 71 185 8 Gulfcrimson 52 77 148 69 163 7 Sig. (P)^(y) 0.36 0.12 0.01 0.32 0.15 0.10 Fruit Red Brix Cultivar (%) Attr. Qual. Firm. (%) Gulfsnow 53 8 7 8 11 Gulfcrimson 80 8 7 8 10 Sig. (P)^(y) .0001 0.17 1.00 1.00 0.13 ^(z)Subjective Shape, Attractiveness (Attr.), Quality (Qual.) and Firmness (Firm.) ratings: 1 = least desirable, 7 = commercially acceptable, 10 = most desirable. ^(y)Significance (P) of difference of means in each column, F-test. Percent Crop Load (Crop), Red Skin Color (Red) and Soluble Solids (Brix) data were transformed as arcsine (square root) prior to analysis (Gomez and Gomez, 1984). Untransformed means presented. Data analyzed by General Linear Models (GLM) program of the Statistical Analysis System for personal computers (SAS, 2003). Years were treated as blocks.

The new variety has been named ‘Gulfsnow’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the fruit, leaf, and stem of the new variety as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type. The photograph shows an attractive shape and exterior coloration of 4 specimens of fruit above a ruler in side view, stem end view, a side view showing the suture and a fruit cut longitudinally to show the flesh and pit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomological characteristics of the subject peach tree. Color data (except those in common terms) are described from “The Pantone Book of Color”, published by H. N. Abrams, Inc., N.Y. 1990.

Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations of averages set forth as accurately as practicable.

The tree, flowers, and fruit of ‘Gulfsnow’ may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit is high, due to its attractive red over a creamy white ground color, large size fruit of good flavor, and good firmness with even ripening throughout the fruit. The present botanical description is that of the variety grown on 5-year-old trees on ‘Flordaguard’ rootstock under the ecological conditions at Attapulgus, Ga.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Trees are medium stature when trained to an open vase             form.         -   Height.—Trees typically attain a height of approximately 3.0             m and spread of approximately 5.6 m after 8 growing seasons             with annual dormant pruning.         -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous, and must be summer and winter             pruned when grown to a vase shape to keep the tree open to             get strong fruiting wood in the lower center. Trees respond             typically to irrigation and fertilization. Tree growth of             two meters in height and one and half meter in width is             typical the first growing season in the field at Attapulgus.         -   Density.—Light to medium in branching habit. Pruning is             required to open the tree center to promote sunlight             entrance for enhancing fruit color and sugar.         -   Form.—Semi-upright, but easily pruned to vase shape.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to typical south Georgia             winters.         -   Bearer.—Productive annually without alternate bearing             observed. Trees are self fertile and should be fruit thinned             to avoid limb breakage and obtain large fruit size.         -   Chilling requirement.—Estimated endodormancy chilling             requirement is 400 chill units based on time of bloom and             leafing in relation to standard varieties. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium trunk diameter attaining 14 cm diameter at a             height of 30 cm at the end of 5 years growth at Attapulgus.         -   Texture.—Medium smooth, even as tree ages.         -   Bark color.—Older bark gray, Chinchilla (Pantone 17-1109).         -   Lenticels.—Moderate number (8 to 10 per 4 square inches of             surface area of trunk) and large (15 to 22 mm length,             perpendicular to the trunk), gray, Lead Gray (Pantone             17-1118) with the center being yellowish brown, Honey Gold             (Pantone 15-1142). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Strong growth of scaffold branches. Fruiting branches             are mostly large diameter (4 to 6 mm) and not overly twiggy,             resulting in strong fruiting wood. Thus, the tree growth and             structure permits easier and faster winter pruning.         -   Texture.—Relatively smooth, medium size lenticels shorter             than found on trunk and old scaffolds. .         -   Color.—New wood is light green, Celery Green (Pantone             13-0532); Old wood is brown, Macaroon (Pantone 16-1323).         -   Crotch angles.—Angles are selected at 45 to near 90 degrees             in first year of tree training. Natural angles are within             the normal range of standard varieties for a semi-upright             tree which is slightly more upright than ‘Gulfcrimson’. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium; 15 to 17 cm length, including the petiole; 34             to 38 mm width. Measurements were made on vigorous upright             shoots of summer growth.         -   Thickness.—Regular and average for commercial peach             varieties. Not noticeably unusual.         -   Form.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Serrulate, slightly undulate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Surface.—Upper, glabrous; Lower, medium large veins that are             pinnately netted.         -   Color.—Lower surface is green, Spinach Green (Pantone             16-0439); Upper surface is slightly darker green, Forest             Green (Pantone 17-0230).         -   Glands.—Usually 2, globose glands on lower leaf blade. Leaf             glands on young leaves are light green, Leek Green (Pantone             15-0628). Size averages less than 1 mm in diameter.         -   Petiole.—Average 8 mm length; 1.5 mm diameter. Light green,             Water Lily (Pantone 11-0304) on older leaves of summer.             Shape is grooved longitudinally.         -   Stipules.—Medium (equal to most commercial peach varieties),             usually 2 per bud, and abscising just before leaf becomes             full size in summer growth. Color at full size is Spinach             Green (Pantone 16-0439), but tinged red, Dry Rose (Pantone             18-1725) from base upward before abscising.         -   Arrangement.—Alternate. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to south Georgia winters.         -   Abundance.—Very high due to shorter than average internode             length. Most buds set fruit in absence of spring frosts and             show little evidence of bud drop.         -   Size.—Medium, average 4.5 mm length in mid winter.         -   Form.—Plump, conic and free.         -   Surface.—Pubescent scales.         -   Color.—Brown, Stucco (Pantone 16-1412) in late summer. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blossom period.—Blooms 5-6 days after ‘Gulfcrimson’ peach —             average 50% bloom around February 16th most years at             Attapulgus, but occurring over a 7-10 day period. Time and             length of bloom are dependent on ambient temperature.         -   Aroma.—Not detectable.         -   Flower density.—Abundant, varying 1 to 3 per node, but             usually 2.         -   Type.—Showy, location and seasonally variable within the             range of commercial showy varieties. Average flower diameter             — 4 cm. Average petal length, 20 mm; width, 14 mm. Texture             smooth. Margins are undulate and smooth.         -   Color.—Color of the upper surface of the petal is Almond             Blossom (Pantone 13-2006) at flower opening, and within the             pink range of standard varieties.         -   Flower parts.—Stamens and pistil size, shape and color are             within the range of standard commercial varieties. There are             5 sepals and petals. Sepals average 5 mm length and 5 mm             wide at attachment to calyx cup and rounded at the distal             end. Sepals are green, Spinach Green (Pantone 16-0439) on             the interior and red, Rose Wine (Pantone 17-1623) on the             exterior with a smooth pubescent margin. Sepals are             pubescent and petals are glabrous. Pistils are usually 1 per             flower and straight (without curls or curves) just prior to             flower opening. Pistil length (from tip of stigma to base of             ovary) averages 16 mm. Pistils are light green, Pale Star             (Pantone 12-0626). Flower pedicel is 2 mm length.         -   Calyx cup.—Medium large in the size range of commercial             varieties. Calyx cup diameter is 5 mm at the top, at the             time of flower opening. Calyx cup exterior is red, Garnet             (Pantone 19-1655) and interior of the cup base is cream,             Vanilla (Pantone 12-0712).         -   Stamen.—Anthers are deep yellow, Apricot Orange (Pantone             17-1353), at flower opening. Number of anthers varies from             35 to 37 and filament length is 10 to 14 mm. Filaments are             pink, Almond Blossom (Pantone 14-2307) at flower opening.         -   Pollen.—Abundant and yellow, Snapdragon (Pantone 13-0840).         -   Fertility.—Fully self fertile, and no cross pollination is             required. Fruit set is abundant. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Tree ripe, Jun. 22, 2010 at             Attapulgus, Ga.         -   Date of picking.—First, Jun. 15, 2010; Last, — Jun. 22, 2010             at Attapulgus, Ga.         -   Size.—Uniform, large (especially for early mid-season             maturity) averaging 185 g over the 7 years of observation             since its selection in 2006. Varies with fruit number per             tree, soil type, climatic conditions and cultural practices.             Average equatorial diameter.—2½ inches (63 mm). Average             polar length (stem to distal end).—2⅝ inches (67 mm).         -   Pedicel size and color.—Length averages 7 mm; Width is             approximately 3 mm. Color is green, Cedar (Pantone 16-0526).         -   Longitudinal section form.—Nearly round.         -   Transverse section through diameter.—Nearly round with             slight suture bulge.         -   Suture.—A slight suture bulge exists from the distal to the             base end of the fruit.         -   Ventral surface.—Usually rounded.         -   Base.—Slightly cordate.         -   Apex.—Usually rounded to slightly obtuse.         -   Crater at stem attachment.—Flaring circular with slight             suture crease at the stem end. Depth is 9 to 10 mm; breadth             is 20 mm at top and 4 mm at pedicel attachment.         -   Skin.—Thickness.—Medium in comparison to commercial peach             varieties. Texture.—Medium in comparison to standard             varieties. Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh. Color.—Red,             Poinsettia (Pantone 17-1654), over 50 to 60% of . Ground             color is cream, Dawn (Pantone 12-0811). Fruit exposed to             sunlight have a higher degree of enhanced red . Tendency to             crack.—None observed. Taste.—No astringency observed.             Epidermis.—Pubescent.         -   Flesh.—Ripens.—Evenly within each fruit. Texture.—Firm, but             juicy and non-melting when fully ripe. Fibers.—Very fine,             small, tender, and abundant. Aroma.—Moderate and in the             middle range of commercial peach varieties. Eating             quality.—Good, moderately sweet, slightly acid. Soluble             solids average 10.6 brix and 1.7 kg penetrometer firmness             with a standard 5/16 inch tip following a seven day             post-harvest storage protocol. Juice.—Abundant.             Color.—Cream, Vanilla (Pantone 12-0712), with red in the             flesh, Poinsettia (Pantone 17-1654) and darker red at the             pit. Browning by oxidation.—Very slight on cut fruit when             tree ripe and beginning to soften. Amygdalin.—Undetected.             Texture.—Smooth, and similar to ‘Gulfcrimson’.         -   Stone.—Type.—Clingstone. Size.—Medium small: average length             is 32 mm; average width is 23 mm; average thickness is 16             mm; average wall thickness is 5 mm. Color.—Red, Barn Red             (Pantone 18-1531) when flesh is freshly removed.         -   Form.—Slightly oblong. Base.—Straight. Apex.—Rounded, not a             sharp point. Sides.—Near equal. Surface.—Irregularly shallow             pitted. Ridges.—Shallow and rounded. Tendency to split.—None             observed.         -   Seed.—Bitter (amygdalin is abundant) kernel. Viable if             stratified upon removal from fruit at harvest, and cultured             on a germination medium. Kernel is yellow, Vanilla (Pantone             12-0712) when first removed from pit of a ripe fruit. Seed             is 17 mm length, 11 mm wide and 5 mm thick. Shape is acute             tip with obtuse base and overall ovate shape. -   Use: Fresh; dessert. -   Resistance to disease: High resistance to bacterial spot incited by     Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (Pers.) Diet. Resistance to other     fruit and tree diseases are within the range for commercial peach     cultivars in Florida. No unusual resistance or susceptibility to     insects and diseases noted. -   Keeping quality: Excellent after 10 days at 2C and with minimal     bruises or scarring appear on . -   Shipping quality: Degree of firmness at harvest and firmness     retained in refrigeration for 10 days at 2C, with no internal     breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of eating quality, indicates     fruit should be highly acceptable for shipping. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by a moderate chilling requirement, and bearing fruit having firm, white and non-melting, clingstone, and smooth textured flesh of good eating quality and an attractive, high percentage red skin. 